How Much Does 2D Animation Cost Per Minute?

Are you investing in 2D animation? Thinking about how much it is going to cost you? You have certainly landed on the right page.

2D animation has been around for decades. It has certainly carved a niche for itself in the information and entertainment industry. With the growing popularity of animated videos across industries, many businesses are exploring 2D animation for marketing and training purposes. 

However, a major factor that deters organizations is the cost associated with 2D animation production. This post aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how much 2D animation costs per minute based on different production aspects and animation styles.

The Key Factors to Be Addressed While Pricing Animation Videos

Multiple factors influence the pricing of 2D animation per minute. Some of the key aspects are:

• Project Length: Longer videos requiring thousands of frames pushed over months increase costs more than short videos wrapped up in weeks. More frames mean more animation work, which drives up wage deadlines, causing overtime charges.
• Style of Animation: Traditional hand-drawn animation is tedious and time-consuming, with animators manually drawing each frame on paper or software. Computer-generated animation with 3D modeling and motion is faster but requires high-end devices. Rotoscoping involving live-action interpolation is the most intensive.
• Production Timeline: Tight deadlines of a few weeks instead of months necessitate overtime work, which is generally billed at higher wages. Sprinting stresses resources thinly across phases instead of steady pacing; last-minute coordination becomes chaotic, inflating budgets.
• Customization Level: Off-the-shelf templates can be popped out quickly but provide limited control over the look and feel. Ground-up custom videos need conceptualizing, storyboarding, and character designing from scratch using more hours.
• Team Involvement: Outsourcing saves on overhead costs like office space, but quality cannot be ensured remotely. In-house teams are readily available for iterations but increase fixed costs. Full-service agencies provide the best of both access and quality.
• Location: Developed countries have higher living costs which get factored in wages even for animation roles. Meanwhile, operational expenses like rent, utilities, etc., drain more dollars or euros than procurement elsewhere.
• Revisions: Unlimited back-and-forth sustains billing longer than projects. Scope creep pushes completion timelines, granting room for inadvertent feature creep unless tightly controlled.
• Additional Elements: Extra visual elements expand work hours, and licensing original graphics and songs adds expenses. Each supplementary component accumulates to the net cost.
• Hardware/Software Costs: Licenses for advanced 3D modeling or animation software are steep investments. Upgrading workstations increases capital expenditure and eventually allocates it to project budgets.
• Studio Experience: Established studios pay more to retain top talent longer, provide better infrastructure, and maintain quality benchmarks over time, which is reflected in competitive quotation amounts.

Price Breakdown of 2D Animation Production Process

Here, we explore the aspects that cover the pricing of the 2D animation production process. Take a look:

Concept & Strategy: 

At this stage, the client’s project goals, target end users, and competitive analysis are studied in-depth. Brainstorming sessions are conducted to devise innovative ideas aligned with the brief. Several concepts are presented to the client for feedback. Finally, a unique value proposition and go-to-market strategy are charted out after discussions. Studios charge a fixed rate covering initial consultations, research, and ideation activities by creative and strategy teams.

Script:

The screenplay provides the narrative blueprint for animators. A qualified scriptwriter analyzes the brief and target audience to develop relatable characters and sequences of events. Multiple script drafts are reviewed internally for logical flow and clarity before client presentations. Refinements continue until approval. Scripting charges cover iterations based on the time to craft an engaging yet simple storyboard for the desired run-time.

Storyboard:

Preliminary scenes come alive through rough sketches and layouts drawn or software generated by experienced storyboard artists. Every panel visualizes the required action along with camera angles and character expressions to aid animators. Storyboards are priced according to their complexity since more detailed, expansive scenes demand greater effort from artists.

Voice Over: 

Once approved, professional voice actors are commissioned. They thoroughly understand the script and characters before multiple takes in a studio setup. Edits are carried out to select the best versions for post-production. Top voice talents charge higher hourly rates considered in the quotations.

Music & Sound: 

Original scores are time-consuming to create but enhance engagement. Licensed music banks provide standard tracks cheaper. Specific sound effects suited to the story are also sourced from designers who are charging based on their popularity and demand in the industry.

Animation: 

This stage takes the maximum effort, with animators meticulously drawing and editing frames over multiple weeks. Turnaround time and animation team size determine costs, the style (2D/3D), and the complexity of motion sequences involved. Billing covers their wages and software/hardware used.

Additional Read

2D Animation Pipeline: A Detailed Guide

How much does 2D animation cost?

The pointers below can help you answer all the questions about how much 2D animation can cost. Check it out:

1. 2D Explainer Video

An explainer video is a short, 2-3-minute video that explains a company, product, service, or process clearly and engagingly. The goal of an explainer video is to educate viewers and increase understanding. It does this visually by using concepts, charts, illustrations, and animations to make complex topics easier to grasp.

Explainer videos are versatile and can be used across different stages of the customer journey from pre-marketing awareness creation to onboarding and training. They are well suited for clearly communicating what a business does, how a product or service works, its unique value proposition, key features, and benefits.

• How a 2D Explainer Video Can Enhance Business

Explainer videos offer several benefits to businesses. They help boost brand awareness and recognition by visually introducing the company and what it has to offer. Explainer videos improve understanding over text alone. Viewers can retain 95% of a video’s message compared to just 10% for text alone. Animated explanations hold the audience’s attention better than plain text.

Explainer videos improve marketing by increasing website traffic when shared online. They generate more leads and conversions by driving targeted action like signups or purchases. Explainer videos strengthen SEO by ranking higher in search results.

They increase trust and loyalty by humanizing the brand. Explainer videos provide opportunities for powerful calls to action throughout. When shared on social media, explainer videos expand the business reach and attract new potential customers.

• Cost and Timeline for a 2D Explainer Video

The typical cost for a professional 2D explainer video ranges from $1500 to $10,000 depending on the scope of work. Simple videos with basic animations and a single narrator are available for as low as $1500. More complex videos requiring multiple animations, characters, unique art styles, or multiple revisions can cost up to $10,000.

The timeline for an explainer video project ranges from 5-10 weeks depending on the complexity and the Animation studio’s workload. A basic 2-minute explainer with standard animations can typically be delivered in 5-6 weeks. More intricate videos may take 8-10 weeks to complete. Communication throughout the process is important to ensure on-time delivery.

2. 2D Isometric Explainer Video

An isometric explainer video uses a 2.5D animation style where objects and characters are displayed from an angled overhead perspective to give the illusion of depth. This style allows for additional details to be included and more complex step-by-step animations compared to a standard 2D animation. An isometric style works well for visually demonstrating processes, workflows, and functionalities and for pointing to different elements on the screen.

• How an Isometric Explainer Video Can Help Business

Isometric videos are highly suited for explaining systems, procedures, or products with multiple interconnected parts. The overhead view provides clarity on spatial relationships and the flow of information, people, or objects. It helps illustrate complex concepts in an easy-to-understand fashion. Isometric videos improve audience understanding while holding their attention through an engaging visual style. The ability to point to more on-screen elements also supports customization for a target industry or niche.

• Cost and Timeline for an Isometric Explainer Video

Isometric explainer videos typically cost between $2000 to $15,000 depending on scope and complexity. A basic 2-minute isometric video with standard animations is priced around $2000-$3000 and can be delivered within 4-6 weeks. More complex videos involving multiple scenes, characters, and animation loops cost $5000-$15,000 and may take 6-8 weeks to produce. Communication throughout the process remains important for the on-time delivery of isometric explainer projects.

3. 2D Walkthrough Video

A walkthrough video demonstrates step-by-step how to use a product, website, or software application, or complete a process. It guides viewers visually through an experience or workflow from start to finish. Interactive features allow the viewer to pause, rewind, or skip sections as needed. Walkthrough videos are helpful for user onboarding and training, demonstrating new features, or sharing a tutorial. They ensure viewers master skills at their own pace through self-guided learning.

• How a Walkthrough Video Can Help Business

Walkthrough videos improve user and customer experiences. They guide how to accomplish tasks, lower learning curves, and reduce support requests. Walkthrough videos support self-service by answering “how to” questions instantly. This frees up staff for more complex requests. Interactive controls let users pause and review trickier sections until mastered. Walkthrough videos build skills and confidence independently. They standardize processes when rolled out across global teams. Walkthroughs strengthen brands by supporting customers from onboarding onwards.

• Cost and Timeline for a Walkthrough Video

Walkthrough videos are more affordable than other 2D animation styles given their simpler animated overlays on static screens or real product footage. Costs range between $500 for a basic 1-minute video to $5,000 for a detailed 10+ minute interactive production. Simple videos explaining a single feature or webpage can be completed within 2 weeks. More extensive tutorials may take 4-5 weeks to develop depending on the depth of content. Early ideation is important to ensure appropriate timeline allocation.

4. 2D Corporate Video

A corporate video highlights a company’s culture, values, and achievements entertainingly. It provides viewers with insights into the business, its people, and its products or services. Corporate videos are typically 3-5 minutes long. They are used on the company website, in pitches, and for recruitment to showcase the brand to both customers and potential employees. An effective corporate video tells a compelling story that leaves viewers feeling inspired.

• How a Corporate Video Can Help Business

A well-crafted corporate film aids companies in building their image and reputation as an employer of choice. It helps form strong, positive first impressions and emotional connections with viewers. Corporate videos support lead generation and conversions by cultivating trust and positioning the brand as a leader in its industry. They increase traffic by ranking higher on search engines and encouraging clicks from social media. Live showcases of a business in action bring its mission and culture to life. This fosters loyalty while attracting top talent to help drive future growth.

• Cost and Timeline for a Corporate Video

Corporate videos tend to cost between $1,500 to $10,000 based on their scope and production requirements. A standard 3-minute video budget starts at $1,500-$3,000 and can be delivered within 4-6 weeks. More advanced films involving complex animations, aerial drone footage, employee interviews, or multiple locations typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 and may take 6-8 weeks to complete based on availability. Ongoing social sharing raises further awareness long after the launch.

5. Animation Promotional Video

A promotional animation video uses visual storytelling to highlight key attributes and value propositions of a brand, product, or service engagingly. Unlike live-action clips, animation gives creators the freedom to flex creative muscles through fantastical worlds, scenarios, and characters while tightly controlling visual narratives. Promotional animation excites viewers and builds buzz through emotion and entertainment.

• How a Promotional Animation Video Can Help Business

Promotional animation videos cut through digital noise more than text or static images alone. They draw in niche target audiences through visually arresting stories and characters. Animation sparks emotional resonance that boosts memorability and builds affinity towards brands. It allows for dynamic scaling across screens and social platforms. Animation promotes through shareability and viral potential when viewers feel compelled to spread the good word. Completed videos act as evergreen marketing assets producing ongoing exposure and awareness.

• Cost and Timeline for a Promotional Animation Video

Budgets for professional promotional animation videos range between $2,000 to $20,000 depending on requirements, production quality, and copyright complexity. Simple 60-second animated clips start at $2,000-$5,000 and can launch within 5-7 weeks. More ambitious 2-3 minute movies incorporating original music, and characters may cost $10,000 to $20,000 and require 7-10 weeks depending on in-house resources. Early project scoping prevents overruns. Strategic social placement then extends asset lifespan for ongoing returns.

Final Thoughts

The wide variance in 2D animation pricing is due to differences in animation styles, production complexities, team expertise, studio facilities, type of client, and, most importantly – quality standards. While bargain freelancers fulfill basics, top agencies assure precision, perfection, and deadlines through refined processes, professional tools, and experienced crews. Their premium services justify higher costs for successful business outcomes. So, invest accordingly and make the most out of it. Good luck!